Shirley Burgess Stepp

Published: Saturday, May 24, 2014 at 4:17 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, May 24, 2014 at 4:17 p.m.

When a woman wearing a disguise tried to hold up an Etowah grocery store around 9 a.m. Saturday, employees subdued the would-be robber and held her until sheriff’s deputies arrived.

According to a news release from the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, a person wearing a camouflage mask entered the Ingles at 6478 Brevard Road and attempted to rob the store using a BB pistol that looks like a semi-automatic handgun.

When deputies responded to a 911 call about an armed person wearing a mask inside the store, they found Ingles employees detaining the suspect. No workers or store patrons were injured, the release states.

<p>When a woman wearing a disguise tried to hold up an Etowah grocery store around 9 a.m. Saturday, employees subdued the would-be robber and held her until sheriff's deputies arrived.</p><p>According to a news release from the Henderson County Sheriff's Office, a person wearing a camouflage mask entered the Ingles at 6478 Brevard Road and attempted to rob the store using a BB pistol that looks like a semi-automatic handgun.</p><p>When deputies responded to a 911 call about an armed person wearing a mask inside the store, they found Ingles employees detaining the suspect. No workers or store patrons were injured, the release states.</p><p>Investigators with the Violent Crimes Unit have charged Shirley Burgess Stepp, 38, of 75 Ducks Drive, Pisgah Forest with attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon.</p><p>Stepp was being held Saturday in the Henderson County Detention Facility in lieu of $80,000.00 secured bond. Her first court appearance is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday.</p><p>The store manager declined to comment on the incident and referred questions to the Ingles corporate office.</p>